Much has been written and discussed about keyboard layout and convenience of the different design choices for keystroke selection. In particular referred to the seldom-used hyperbolic functions (some more seldom than others, arguably).

Here's a simple, elegant and well-though out solution to the problem:

1. have a HYP "prefix" key that supports direct and inverse functions - like in the SANDMATH module

2. assign it to SHIFT-SHIFT - so it doesn't take any extra key and still maintains the global keyboard logic.

Examples:

SHIFT, SHIFT, SIN = SINH

SHIFT, SHIFT, SHIFT, SIN = ASINH

Did I hear too many shifts? You can't have it all - it's rather fast once you get the hung of it.

Tag. You're on :)

There would have to be very clear annunciators in the display to show what state you're in, particularly with the recent quality of keyboards.

Personally, I think it is too counter intuitive to be widely accepted.

How about having a second shift key that can be used independently or in combination with the primary shift key. e.g.:

Primary key [sin] is sin

[Shift 1] & [sin} is asin

[Shift 2] & [sin] is sinh

[Shift 1] & [Shift 2] & [sin] is asinh

or

Primary key [ln] is ln

[Shift 1] & [ln} is e^x

[Shift 2] & [ln] is log

[Shift 1] & [Shift 2] & [ln] is 10^x

Somewhat less intuitive would be grouping 1/x, sqrt, y^x and x^2 on a single key as well

There is something to be said for the old TI way of doing things ... with the INV key that worked with any other key sequence where it made sense.

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There is something to be said for the old TI way of doing things ... with the INV key that worked with any other key sequence where it made sense.

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Somewhat less intuitive would be grouping 1/x, sqrt, y^x and x^2 on a single key as well

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Indeed less intuitive but somehow related, that's true. The hyperbolics have the advantage of being "almost" the same as the circular trigonometry, and thus much simpler to remember.

I remember getting all over the THREE shift keys on the HP-67.. until the 41 came out and I marveled at the elegance of its design - to me still unparalelled (sorry, I'm definitely a 41 inconditional).

The 35S has a HYP prefix key, akin to the shift2 in your example.

Best,
AM.

that reminds me of this FIVE (no less) SHIFT-key design that, thank goodness, is only an April 1st joke :)

http://209.197.117.170/item/product2.htm

My first HP was a 34C and I was amazed at the number of functions it had. My second (and still favorite) was my 41C(x) (and one of the main reasons for getting an iPod). If you would take away the 'h' key on the 34C and use the combination of both 'f' and 'g' to enable the black characters on the bottom edge of the key (the 'h' functions), you would free up one more key, giving you 4 more functions available right on the keyboard.

Of course, pressing [user] and having an overlay magically appear (i41CX+) does nearly the same thing.

Of course, some magic helps a lot in keyboard design. Pull out your wands! <;-)

I found the HP34C very very powerful but never quite got to grips with the key layout - you can have too much of a good thing.

Interestingly you can accomodate all the HP34's functions with just two function keys using the same keyboard layout as the new HP20B

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I found the HP34C very very powerful but never quite got to grips with the key layout - you can have too much of a good thing.

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Interesting, my first HP was a 34c in 1979/1980 and that died after a couple of years -- it was the solder less model and I attempted to fix it without really having a clue. Anyway, I just recently got a replacement for this and I find that I still have some finger memory for most of the functions. Amazing after all these years and different models in the meantime.

- Pauli

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SHIFT, SHIFT, SIN = SINH

SHIFT, SHIFT, SHIFT, SIN = ASINH

Did I hear too many shifts?

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You can't have it all - it's rather fast once you get the hung of it.

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However another approach could be SHIFThold.

If you manage to catch multiple key presses,

you could assign the HYP fcns to the SHIFThold level;-)

HTH

Raymond

Hi Raymond, long time no speak - hope you're doing well.

Actually SHIFT SHIFT works like a charm, the second one does not turn the first one off... assigning the function to the "10B" keycode does the trick.

Sure there's multiple ways to implement it and everybody has his preferred one :-) Using a HYP user keyboard is good as well but it conflicts with an existing User keyboard (not enough real state).

The SHIFT-Hold requires some operator skills, afraid it wouldn't pass the test of easiness for some :-O

Best,
ÁM

I remember back in the PPC days a way to assign functions synthetically to the shifted-shift button on a 41C. I used it for the packing command but any function could be assigned.

Gerry

Exactly. The SandMath uses a MCODE form of the same technique, no more no less.